My Nine (Fashion) Things For Spring!

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Well here we are, Spring, hurrah! (I think…I mean, one day in
Aberdeen it’s cold enough for a winter coat, the next I’m sweltering in my
layers – I will never understand how people keep up with the schizophrenic
weather here!). I keep thinking I need a “Spring Coat”, but it’s still a bit
chilly for a mere mac, and I don’t know if I can justify buying one of those more
hybrid lightweight “Easter coats” as they used to call them , because in a
month they’ll be too warm.

In the meantime I have been trying to concentrate on what
items I can justify saying I actually “need” to refresh my Spring/Early Summer wardrobe
(tbh even in peak summer you’re never going to need what would constitute
summer clothes in most of the world on this breezy rainy island!).

Finding sartorial inspiration everywhere I look recently has led to a
particularly chaotic interior closet wish list of late. Mainlining Transparent
on Amazon has led to a real interest in Californian laid back chic, and even
Maura’s muumuus (fab article with the show's costume designer here) are appealing to me! I
love the costume design on the show, from hipster Josh and his cardigans to Ali’s
anti-fashion tomboy look, to eldest sister Sarah‘s more glam boho style, it all
feels sort of appealingly effortless. And then there’s Black Sails, which is a trickier box
to tick because I am nigh on obsessed with feisty heroine Eleanor’s white
Victorian meets pirate flounces blouse collection. I mean, look at this blouse,
it’s perfection!

"I may have to put up with you smelly pirates, but my blouse is spotless!"

Not to mention Max’s contrasting Ikat print gown – is this
not the most perfect dress you’ve ever seen?

Ikat pirate dream dress

But unless I get
an invite to a pirate fancy dress ‘do, I’ll need to find more modern ways to
draw on these looks. Alas me hearties I think we can all agree that a few key
pieces can often make a wardrobe feel fresh again, so here are a few things I’m
in search of!

A pretty blouse: Ok so I “need” a new blouse like I need a
hole in the head, but seeing as my go to “’look” is generally a top and jeans
despite my best intentions, I may as well have something new and fun to wear. I
was stopped in my tracks by this little poppy print Rocha John Rocha number in Debenhams
the other day – of course it was about the only thing in the shop not on sale
so thrifty lass that I am I will bide my time. On the plus side, it photographs
horribly (at least on the site), it’s much more arresting/vintage looking in
person so I’m hoping it won’t sell out before they put it on sale. I also like
the oyster-y tone of this H&M blouse and the covered buttons:

Oyster is a colour that turns up a
lot in Black Sails, and it’s fairly universally flattering I think. I also like
the look of this stripey boxy shaped California surf chick type blouse (also from H&M), I can totally see Ali in Transparent wearing it while having an existential crisis ;-0:

Faded/summery jeans: Out with the cling-y dark denim, in
with more breathable relaxed fits. I think I will add to my GAP boyfriend
collection, they are comfy and (I think) strangely flattering in that baggy bum
sort of way. Hopefully they didn’t tinker too much with this year’s version,
because the pair I have taper just enough, but not in that annoying super tight
ankle way that most “boyfriend” jeans do. I could really do with a relaxed straight
or boot cut also but am struggling to find a pair I like on the high street just
now – any recommendations? Mantaray’s (Debenhams) are decent for stretch and comfort but
run seriously long, and of course the short length is far too short (I know petite
and tall ladies struggle with denim lengths too, but it’s nigh on impossible for
us 5’5”’s to get a decent cut too! If you’re 5’7” or 8” you’re golden I think).

Jewellery:I don’t know about you, but I’ve got rather a lot
of bold/boho/"busy" jewellery, partly out of necessity for covering my scar, but I could
really do with a few more simple, go with anything type pieces. Like a plain
gold hoop or these really perfect streamlined earrings which admittedly first caught my
eye over on Not Dressed as Lamb.I could do with just more plain stuff,
generally. It’s particularly hard to find a metal only, simple necklace that
would, if not cover, at least not draw attention to my scar. I had one and it
was perfect but it sadly tarnished. It’s something I’d be willing to pay a bit
more for but most fine jewellers don’t sell the sort of thing I am thinking of.
I also fancy a nice plain bangle or three, just throw on with anything sort of
things, in rose gold or gold preferably.

I always love the Orelia brand jewellery on ASOS - cheeky tip, sometimes their own website has stuff cheaper! ;-)

New Coat: As mentioned above, it’s a tricky thing. There are
very few days of the year I would venture out without a coat of some sort, even
if it’s just a light waterproof “just in case”. Trouble is most waterproofs are
ghastly looking. The main alternative seems to be Mac/trench coats, which are
classic and lovely but mostly seem to come in beige or black and be double
breasted which is a no-no for this broad chested girl. Plus they rarely have
hoods. So in short I need a cheerful/colourful, go with anything, dressy but
not to dressy, waterproof but not hideous, hooded spring coat! Does such a
thing exist? I’ve looked and looked, for years now, to no avail, help!! I find
myself looking at slightly wackadoo things like an orange biker jacket from LaRedoute (because why not? It’s cute and I’m bored of all the pastel ladylike
ones). But for day to day I need something more (yawn) practical.

Dress: Something I can hang in my wardrobe and think looks
pretty and never wear except to try on every couple of weeks (ha!). Sad but
true. I need to get in the dress habit though, preferably baby steps into some
sort of GAP t-shirt number or something that doesn’t make me feel like I am
walking down the street screaming “Look at me! I’m a girl!” (I’m an INFP don’t
you know, we hate unwanted outside attention). But every time I see a pretty
dress I think “I should wear more dresses” so I am going to force myself out of
my comfort zone this season, for real. Of course the dresses I fall in love with are usually silly money, like this little Boden number, how fresh is this? It just looks like a little casual throw on dress, but it's (gasp!) £99. I must have been rich in a past life....

It's always summer in Boden-land!

Jazzy trainers: The sad fact is I have fallen arches and bad
knees and wearing anything other than comfy shoes most of the time causes much
pain and heartache. I fool myself this
isn’t the case and buy unsuitable shoes that I simply can’t wear, so for once I
should fork out on some properly soled/cushioned branded trainers that won’t
make my feet cry. My magpie eyes are drawn to the current neon combinations of the sports trainers but I
also like the look of the vintage style print of these Vans flamingo numbers:

Vans Flamingo Print - fun!

Striped top: Anyone who knows me can look away now. “You
need another striped top like I need…”. They
are my crack. And the pushers know just how to keep the addiction going strong –
by coming out with new striped tops every season! “Oh, they all look the same!”
says the person who owns a couple at best. But they are wrong, dead wrong. From
Boden’s preppy multi-stripe to this faded beach-y light knit tee from Dorothy Perkins, there are many ways to subvert the black/navy
and white dilemma. Which is not to say I don’t find an excuse to buy a new black
and white top every season, oh ye of little faith! And then there are the
striped jumpers…don’t get me started! Something about spring makes my resolve here particularly weaken into no-existence. I
would ask for help but there is no cure I fear.

Comfy yet pretty sandals: It’s surprisingly tricky to find a sandal that
has a proper insole/any kind of cushioning that does not look like something
your grandma would wear. I had a wonderful pair from Rohde that I destroyed in
the Findhorn Bay last summer playing with my nieces (Scottish beaches are super
rocky, like Maine, going shoe-less is
not an option!). I got them at the local orthopaedic shoe store (because I have
old lady feet), but they were actually a great fit for my narrow yet mangled
arches. I also rely pretty heavily on my Birkenstocks, which quelle surprise
are holding on to being “in fashion” (I never stopped wearing them but I’ll go
with it!) for the second summer in a row. I do wish I could find something just
a bit more delicate looking that wouldn’t kill my feet but it seems like the
shoe holy grail.

Blazer: I have a weird fixation on blazers for
someone who rarely wears them. I do have a boxy black linen number that’s seen
it’s day, I could do with a neutral replacement of some sort….but instead what
do I do, I go buy a printed blazer in the ASOS sale. It’s a little bit “out
there” for me, the printed blazer, but having fallen for pyjama pants last year
I’m feeling a bit adventurous. I liked that this one has a sort of kimono print
with a twist of neon lime, I think it will look cute with a plain black outfit or
maybe even jeans:

I apologize for the picture quality, someday I'll have a day to try on clothes and stand by a wall and have the o.h. take numerous pics of me...how do fashion bloggers do it?! Selfie sticks? Anyway hope you get the gist! I would link but it's sold out in all but a size 4...

Hmm so that’s nine things, that’s kind of an uneven number
for a blog title! Though Nine Things For Spring sort of rhymes? What else is
everyone else coveting for their Spring wardrobe this year?

12 comments

I like the title Nine Things for Spring and your nine picks are all very cute. I don't think I need anything new at all but that won't stop me from coming home with a delightful find from a thrift or consignment shop. I do want some jeans but the selection in my small town is very limited and I am waiting for flares with a higher waist to arrive. The thrift shops are full of super low rise flares and skinny jeans and the local shops are mainly carrying skinny and boyfriend styles. I can't make the boyfriend style work for me. At the moment I have one pair of bootcut that are lower in the rise than I like but I make do and two pairs of skinnies that are a bit short so I wear them cuffed in warm weather and with boots in cool weather. I think 5'7" is the golden height. I am a little over 5'9" and have lots of fit problems with pants and dresses.The orange moto is really cute! I stick to anorak style coats for spring and autumn since trench coats don't work for me either. I am also coveting new glasses frames but that is not in the budget! xo

Thanks Shawna! I really like that orange jacket too, no idea why! Sometimes my fashion senses lead me down strange paths! I should really pay more attention to jeans in thrift shops, I tend to pass them by. GAP do a bootcut but their jeans have much less stretch in them than they used to (at least on this side of the pond!), I like a bit of stretch, a mid to high rise. Skinny jeans still rule the shops here too, bizarrely imo. I mean they're not the most comfortable things in the word!

With the addition of lycra spandes the current skinny jeans are more comfortable than the early nineties skin tight straight leg jeans I remember, which were pure cotton and had no give. I always check the label and only buy 1% or 2% spandex as any more than that and I find the jeans just slide down. I don't have a big enough bum to hold them up, I guess. I definitely don't wear mine really tight because going down a size would give me major muffin top. I think I have a bit of a love hate relationship with jeans. I love the idea of them but they are really a challenge. Bring on the sack dresses! xo

I agree stretch (but not too much, it's a fine line!) is vital. I have managed to find a high waisted pair with stretch that is comfortable, other than that I have a few pairs that just squeeze the life out of me and give me "muffin top!". x

Oooh, I covet bright colours, shoes (although they are neatly always failures due to my bony, painful feet and dodgy knee) girly things. I recently was given a fabulous turquoise scarf with gold skulls which is great for spring. And maybe a zingy pastel handbag....

Finding comfy yet at least somewhat pretty shoes is my endless quest! ;-) Do you have a foot man/orthopedist? I have insoles (need a new pair actually) for my arches which do help when I remember to wear them!

I'm rubbish at transitional dressing - I can do winter or summer wardrobe, but it all falls apart in spring and autumn! Re. sandals, I have completely the same issue - I walk miles around the city and need proper cushioned support for my poor feet. My reliable favourites are from M&S, and Clarks often do some not-hideous ones with padded soles. I hear v good things about Saltwater sandals, which have a very current 1970s look about them and are also meant to be totally waterproof.

Ooh, those sound promising, will check out thanks! I live in a city and walk everywhere too, comfort is key. I do like Clarks, I just require superhuman cushioning. (But then Birkenstocks which mold to my feet and are quite hard are ok, I don't know!). I need to revisit M&S, our local one keeps shrinking their shoe section which is quite annoying! I pulled out a bunch of Spring things yesterday, so today it is cold and rainy, of course! x

About Me

Hi! I'm Steff. I'm an American who lives in Scotland. Expect me to write about a little bit of everything! My most recent passion is body positivity and learning to embrace health at any size. I am a film/t.v. addict and cancer survivor so I write about that sometimes too...no niche yet found! :-)